AFL Queensland congratulates Levi Ashcroft (Pick 5 - Brisbane Lions), Leo Lombard (Pick 9 - Gold Coast SUNS) and Sam Marshall (Pick 25 - Brisbane Lions) on their selections in the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft.
Levi Ashcroft
The Brisbane Lions have secured prized father-son selection Levi Ashcroft with Pick 5 at the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft at Marvel Stadium on Wednesday night.
Brisbane selected the impressive 17-year-old at Pick 5 after it matched a bid from Melbourne.
Ashcroft, one of the most highly rated and talented players in the draft, becomes the third member of his family to wear the maroon, blue and gold.
The prolific midfielder is son of Lions triple premiership player and club legend Marcus Ashcroft who played 318 games for the club.
He is also the younger brother of Will, who starred in the Lions premiership win this season claiming the Norm Smith Medal as best on ground.
Ashcroft enters the AFL after an incredible final year of underage football where he experienced plenty of team and individual success.
Brisbane Lions National Recruiting Manager Stephen Conole said the club was super excited to add Ashcroft to its list.
“Levi is an incredibly consistent and competitive player who will be adding more potency to our midfield,” Conole said.
“He had an outstanding junior career playing in the Sandringham Dragons’ three-peat and being a key midfield component in Vic Metro’s victory in the National Championships.
“I am sure this will transfer across to his senior football with the Brisbane Lions.
“Above his natural talent, Levi is a young man who plays with a really strong team ethos and is a great team person and will be a fantastic addition to our squad.”
The club is thrilled to have landed the talented father-son, though joining the Lions as reigning premier and a club in a successful era is not lost on the teenager.
Ashcroft is no stranger to the club due to his family’s connection as well as having already trained with the team on several occasions over the past two years.
It was during this time that the young midfielder knew he wanted to be a Lion.
“The Brisbane Lions are just such a great club to be a part of, it’s a very team-orientated culture,” Ashcroft said.
“Everyone wants to win for each other and wants the best for each other, there’s no individuals at this club it’s all about the team and winning as one as a group.
“Everyone has so much fun being together as a group and enjoy each other’s company, which I really love about the club.
“I’ve been so included when training at the club, even before being drafted I still felt such a part of what the team is doing and building - so that was a driving force.”
Ashcroft, who possesses a determination and hunger to succeed, now wants to use those traits to do whatever he can to help the Lions experience more success.
“I am very competitive; I want to win and want to do everything for my teammates and the club I am playing for,” he said.
“I love the big moments and big games which are what you play for, and hopefully I can keep being in those moments with the Lions like the team did so well this year.”
By Lions Media.
Leo Lombard
StreetSmarts SUNS Academy graduate Leo Lombard has tonight joined the club’s AFL list after the first round of the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft.
Lombard received a bid from St Kilda at selection 9, with the SUNS quickly matching the bid to ensure the dynamic mid-forward became a SUN.
The 18-year-old has had a prolific draft year where he established himself as the best junior male footballer in Queensland.
Lombard earned many accolades in 2024, including the prestigious Larke Medal as the best and fairest player in this year’s Under 18 National Championships, and the Male Academy Player of the Year at the SUNS Club Champion.
The StreetSmarts SUNS Academy captain was also named the Allies MVP and was recognised with selection in the Under 18 All Australian team.
Lombard has played 11 VFL matches for the SUNS across two years, including playing in the Gold Coast SUNS VFL Premiership team in 2023 when he was just 16 years old.
Gold Coast SUNS National Recruiting Manager Kall Burns said the club was thrilled to officially welcome Lombard as an AFL-listed player.
“We’ve known what Leo can do for a long time as a member of our StreetSmarts SUNS Academy and it’s fantastic to have him officially join the club tonight as an AFL listed player,” Burns said.
“It’s an amazing achievement for Leo and he should be extremely proud of all the hard work and dedication he has put in to achieve his goal of reaching the AFL.
“It’s also a testament to everything the Academy and junior football on the Gold Coast has done to get Leo to this point, and it’s rewarding for all involved to have another graduate join the club’s AFL list.
“We look forward to Leo commencing his first official pre-season under Damien Hardwick starting on Monday.”
By SUNS Media.
Sam Marshall
The Brisbane Lions have added more exciting talent to its list selecting hybrid midfielder Sam Marshall with Pick 25 at Wednesday night’s 2024 Telstra AFL Draft.
Brisbane secured Marshall with Pick 25 after matching a bid from Sydney.
Marshall, known for his versatility and two-way running, is another Brisbane Lions Academy graduate whose AFL dream has come true.
The young midfielder has displayed an extreme level of consistency and admirable work ethic during his junior and pathway football.
Marshall was pivotal for the Sandringham Dragons in their Coates Talent League premiership win back in September.
The Queensland local racked up 28 touches, seven inside 50s and two goals to claim the best on ground medal.
Lions National Recruiting Manager Stephen Conole said the club was delighted to land Marshall ahead of the 2025 season.
“Sam has shown great resilience as he has played through various teams and competitions over the last couple of seasons through the pathway system, where his strong character and work ethic has shone through,” Conole said.
“He completed his season as part of the Premiership-winning Sandringham Dragons team, after being an All-Australian member of the Allies team earlier in the year.
“Sam has the skill set to eventually develop into a genuine hybrid mid, with his strong inside and outside game complimented by his powerful two-way running and his ability to push forward and impact the game.
“We are super excited to see Sam join our list via the Brisbane Lions Academy, and I am sure he will flourish as he as a Lions player.”
Marshall, a Queensland local from Warana on the Sunshine Coast, is the latest Lions Academy draftee hoping his story can help motivate other Queenslanders.
The young Lion now returns to his home state after experiencing life at boarding school in Melbourne and playing along fellow draftee Levi Ashcroft.
“Being drafted into the AFL has been a long-time goal since being in the juniors and it’s fantastic it’s finally happened and to get a chance to realise those goals,” Marshall said.
“I’ve been a Brisbane Lions Academy member since under-12s, and it has always been the club I wanted to start my career with.
“To be back in Queensland close to home after a three-year stint boarding in Melbourne is great.
“I am looking forward to working with all the coaches, staff and players at the Brisbane Lions and spending this preseason with new goals and aspirations.”
By Lions Media.
